Composer’s Note:

Intermezzo was composed during the early part of 1981. It was written for double bass and harp (as Interlude), as part of a concert of original chamber music works for flute, horn, harp, double bass, and percussion. It was later rewritten for double bass and piano, however, it still retains many harp-like elements in the piano accompaniment.

The work uses a foundation consisting of many layers of cycling ideas. These are buried and manipulated with the overall texture. The intent was to create a flowing and everchanging continuity. The inspiration for the work is drawn from running water, most notably the infrequent yet vitally nourishing water which flows through a desert wash. The water appears in the dry stream bed, flows and then is gone, leaving the desert as it was in a refreshed silence.